Supporters of the England cricket team

Welcome to the official website of The Addis Army, a bunch of cricket fans that follow the England cricket team all round the world on every England tour. Our group was formed back on the 2004/05 tour to South Africa when for reasons best known to ourselves, we went to South Africa via Addis Ababa on the glorious Ethiopian Airlines. This is our official website, read on and enjoy and if you see us at games please come over and join us for a beer or two.

Alastair Cook video

What do the England players think about the Addis Army? Here's England leading run-scorer Alastair Cook thanking the Addis Army for its support on tour.

Latest interviews

John Lever, former England and Essex swing bowler

February 2018 - Having been outshone by a number of left arm bowlers in recent series, we thought this month we’d speak to one of the finest left arm seamers to have pulled on the Three Lions. A bowler who took over 1,700 first class wickets in a career that brought 21 Test appearances, 22 one-day internationals, 4 county championships, 3 Sunday League titles, a NatWest Trophy and a B&H Cup. Welcome John Lever.

Linsey Smith, Southern Vipers, Sussex spinner

January 2018 Our interviewee this month is one of the rising stars of women’s cricket. At just 22 years of age left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has already appeared in two Kia Super League finals and following her selection in the England Pathway squad she is already knocking on the door of the full England side.

Graham Rose, Former Somerset, Middlesex all-rounder

December 2017 - This month we’re delighted to speak to one of county cricket’s leading all-rounders in the 1990s. His close to 9,000 first class runs and 600+ wickets made him a folk hero at Somerset – it is of course Graham Rose, the world record holder for the fastest List A limited overs hundred, off just 36 balls. More to come on that later.

Clive Radley, former Middlesex, England batsman

November 2017 - This month we speak to a batsman whose first-class career spanned 23 years (representing just one county - Middlesex), who scored over 26,000 first class runs, and had a Test batting average of 48.10. Any ideas? It is of course Clive Radley. A late starter in Test cricket, Clive’s average is up there with some of the greats of the game.

October 2017 - This month we are privileged to be speaking with Richard Halsall, assistant coach of Bangladesh and former England fielding coach. We caught up with Richard just days after their series with Australia, where the Tigers secured an excellent 1-1 result in the two Test match series.

Bob Taylor, former England Wicket-Keeper

September 2017 - You’ve guessed it, it’s another wicket-keeper we’re interviewing this month! However, what stands this interviewee apart is he holds the world record for the number of dismissals by a wicket-keeper, his record of 2,069 I doubt will ever be broken. It is of course Bob Taylor, arguably one of the most accomplished wicket-keepers to have ever played the game.

Latest blogs

Counting on the Counties

February 2018 - So Adil Rashid and Alex Hales have become the first big name England players to close the door on the County Championship. While it’s easy to understand their individual decisions, having both been shunted around by the England team management for a while, and knowing that the money is to be had in franchise white-ball cricket, it doesn’t make their decisions any less significant.

How England Can End World Cup Misery in 2019

February 2018 - England’s cricketers can join the country’s footballing and rugby heroes if they become World Cup winners in 2019. As host nation, they have a golden opportunity to leave an indelible imprint on the English sporting landscape, and at the same time, inspire a whole new generation of players and spectators.

It may be the home of cricket...

February 2018 - Those eagle-eyed readers out there will have noticed that I did not write anything last month. I hope that this makes up for it. A couple of issues back I bemoaned the lack of authentic Test cricket grounds in Australia. Fabulous multi-purpose stadia but they lack tradition.

The Under 19 World Cup

February 2018 - When Midnight and I were planning our marathon trip to the Ashes and on to New Zealand we needed to find other things to do when there was no cricket. Ha ha you might say, what is this story all about!! Bearing in mind that we had been to New Zealand on a number of occasions, the task was to do things not having been done before.

Bayliss

January 2018 - And so the ODI series is won, 4-1, and the memories of the fairly hideous Ashes defeat are somewhat dulled and blunted, pushed to the back of the cupboard to be forgotten about until the next time we need them in a few months’ time.

Can England Excel Across All Formats at Home and Away?

January 2018 - Yet another England tour to Australia ended in an Ashes debacle for the visitors. In 3 of the past four Ashes tours, England has lost 14 tests to nil. Without a depth of quality, hostile bowlers who pose a potent threat with both the new ball and the old ball plus a top quality spin bowler, England’s demise this winter was predictable.

Saint finally goes down under

December 2017 - Now I’ve been doing Addis trips for 12 years now, but never have I been in a situation before where my funds and family/work commitments have allowed me to consider the Ashes away option. A bonus at work, Freddie advising of appealing travel plans (3 days in Sydney joined by Mr B, then join Tremmers and Smithy in Brisbane, plus Midnight & George (Waldorf & Statler) and likewise Adelaide, and a NEED TO GO finally made me commit.

Mid-Ashes

December 2017 - Well, it’s all gone a bit Pete Tong, hasn’t it? At time of writing, we’re waiting for Day 5 in Perth and hoping the rain dances pay off so that England can limp away with a draw and keep the series alive until Boxing Day. It’s just more fun on Christmas night if there’s something to play for, isn’t it?

Would you like some concrete with that?

December 2017 - So what will probably be the last Ashes Test Match at the WACA has come to an inevitable conclusion with England’s eighth successive defeat there. As Test venues go, it is one of the newer ones what with England playing their first Test in the 1970/71 series. But what are they moving to?

Tremers' 12 days of Christmas quiz

December 2017 - As its Christmas I thought I would enter into the spirit by doing a 12 days of Christmas quiz. In honour of people that give the ball a bloody good whack in test cricket only, I have based it on the mighty 6 hitters that we all love to see in full flow.

Midnight's latest tour diaries

Normal Service Resumed in Hamilton

25th February 2018 - It is 3.40 pm on Saturday and I am dodging the tumbleweed blowing along Hamilton's main street in the blazing heat. A huge Maori wearing wet-suit bottoms and an open dress shirt is slumped against a shop front as if sun bathing, but he is clearly stocious.

Derek & Clive do Gita

23rd February 2018 - This post needs to be contextualised. Tropical Cyclone Gita has just devastated areas of the South Island, some of which Lofty and Midnight were travelling through only last week. Due to good luck more than good planning, the pair escaped the South Island by ferry yesterday in torrential rain before the real fun and games started.

Take me out to ball game

19th February 2018 - Having been a long - term admirer of Ms Nicola Sturgeon and her plans for Scottish world conquest, the choice of Dunedin to celebrate my 60th birthday was a logical one. Here is the new Scotland, the Scotland of the South Pacific. The very name Dunedin is the Gaelic for 'Edinburgh'.

Seventh Heaven

1st February 2018 - So, where are we up to? I must admit we have been away so long now, I am beginning to forget myself. Ah, yes. A journey to Christchurch to watch the Under-19 World Cup semifinals - whose line up unexpectedly does not include England, New Zealand or South Africa.

The Hazards of Wearing Shades when Parking Underground

23rd January 2018 - For those readers wishing to read about the Under 19 Cricket World Cup, I commend Lofty's upcoming Addis article on the subject for your perusal. As usual, my tour diary will contain bugger all about cricket, so cricket saddoes hit the cross now!

My Sympathies to Gary Ballance

15th January 2018 - Lofty and I find ourselves in Swansea, Glamorgan (Tasmania) awaiting a monster storm coming in from the Pacific. I have a beach front, upper level motel room and the patio doors are rattling like a scene from 'Key Largo'.

The Masque of the Pink Death

7th January 2018 - I stole this title from Edgar Allan Poe. His books never have a happy ending either. A few days left in Melbourne before we resume our travels. I have gone from hating this city on my first visit with Herbie, Mr Colvile and Jack in 2006 to admitting a grudging liking for it now.

Its like kissing ya sister

30th December 2017 - Trying to engage with grumpy Lofty in the morning is a dangerous business. As we had a 7.30am flight from Perth to Adelaide the day after the calamitous Third test, early alarm calls at 5am were the order of the day.

A Proper Shower

18th December 2017 -When Lofty is unwilling to get behind the wheel of a car, something must be truly amiss. So I was extremely surprised when he said he was unwell, and asked me to undertake the two hour drive into Adelaide to drop off the hire car in order to board our flight to Melbourne, and onward to Perth. Then, Five - O sent me a photo of the following road sign, and the penny dropped.

The Dumbest creatures on earth

12th December 2017 -After the depressing Adelaide debacle, Lofty and I set off on our six day road trip prior to travelling to Perth. Our destination - the outback, complete with searing heat, flies, Mick Taylor and other creepy crawlies. Like the early explorers the general plan was to head north and see what happens, with one specific exception.

Latest blogs by the Skipper

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales: Morality v Legality

October 2017 - One late night in Bristol, two England cricketers were drunk and in that danger zone between club and taxi. We have all been there. Anyone who has left a city centre pub or club at 2am and took longer than 5 minutes to get in a taxi has seen people looking for a confrontation.

Which non cricketing country would you love to start playing the game?

August 2017 - Something a bit different from me this month. Instead of my usual ramblings I want to pose a question to you! Which non cricketing country would you love to start playing cricket so England could tour there? It can be absolutely anywhere!

Who dropped JR?

June 2017 - The recent England ODI team has been like Theresa May started this election campaign. Strong and stable. Everyone knew the team and everyone in the team knew there jobs. Roy Hales Root Morgan Stokes Buttler Ali Woakes Plunkett Rashid Wood.

The Last Gentleman

February 2017 - In many ways Alastair Cook was a throwback to another time. A black and white pathe news time where cricket teams sailed on tour and Tests were just that, a test. An attritional struggle requiring grit and patience.

Will England's success in India be limited?

January 2017 - After the disappointment of the Test tour of India late last year, can the limited overs cricketers of England have more success. England have been improving under Eoin Morgan in both limited overs formats, however they are still behind India in the rankings.

An English Cricket fan's survival guide to touring India

December 2016 - It is now almost 2 weeks since I returned from Visakhapatnam and my heart is still there. At times it felt like I was leaving other parts of me too. It was a death defying, stomach churning chaotic visit.

Will England get in a spin against India?

November 2016 - When England collapsed form 100-0 to 164 all out, they lost a Test to Bangladesh for the first time. On a turning pitch, with variable bounce, England struggled to put an innings together. Not that Bangladesh found it easy either, Neither side scored more than 300.

RC - Joe is the Root Cause of Pakistan's Defeat

September 2016 - Joe Root's 61 and 89 have guided England past two modest Pakistan totals in the first 2 ODIs. After top scoring in the Test series, including 254 at Old Trafford, the 25 year old from Sheffield is surely cementing his place at the best batsmen in the world.